Topic
Public Finance
5,915 speeches · 726 speakers
Party share
By the speaker's party · counts only, no scoring. "Unattributed" = speeches not resolved to an MP.
Most active on this topic
| # | Member | Speeches |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, M.P. NDF | 283 |
| 2 | Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha, M.P. JJB | 229 |
| 3 | Hon. Sajith Premadasa, M.P. SJB | 171 |
| 4 | Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe, M.P. JJB | 167 |
| 5 | Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, M.P. JJB | 153 |
| 6 | Hon. Kumara Jayakody, M.P. JJB | 147 |
| 7 | Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, M.P. SJB | 140 |
| 8 | Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa, M.P. JJB | 135 |
| 9 | Hon. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, M.P. JJB | 115 |
| 10 | Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney at Law, M.P. SJB | 92 |
Speeches
5,915 on this topic- 3 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister provided a written answer on the Department of Educational Publications, outlining its responsibilities for producing and distributing educational textbooks and materials. She tabled data on reusable and remaining school textbooks from 2020 to 2025, including quantities and financial values, noting that precise records were limited before the IT-based ordering system introduced for 2023-2025. She also reported textbook printing costs for 2021 and 2022 use, and described measures to ensure timely textbook distribution through computerized ordering, stock-based print planning, procurement scheduling, and expanded transport and staffing arrangements. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the CID began investigations into the sugar levy matter using information from the Auditor General, then reported it to the Attorney-General. Following the Attorney-General’s directions, the file was referred to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, which is currently conducting further investigations. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera JJB AI summary Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera stated that matters raised by Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe have been referred to the CID and that investigations are ongoing. He said support for a forensic audit will be provided in line with the Auditor General’s guidance, and that the CID is proceeding accordingly. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri said his question had been delayed due to postponed answers and requested fairness in scheduling new questions. He asked the Deputy Minister about the sugar tax fraud, specifically the amount of revenue lost and actions taken since the current Government assumed office. He queried whether evidence files reportedly held by Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe were being used to prosecute those involved, whether they had gone missing, and what concrete steps the Government was taking to bring offenders to justice. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera - Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Nishantha Jayaweera, replying on behalf of the Minister of Finance, said the Special Commodity Levy on sugar imports was reduced to 25 cents per kilogram from 14 October 2020 under Gazette Extraordinary No. 2197/12, following a presidential directive to lower duties on sugar, dhal, canned fish and big onions to ease the cost of living. He listed the companies that imported sugar during the period and stated that, according to the Auditor General’s 2022 report, the revenue loss from the reduced levy on 336,949 metric tons of sugar imported up to 28 February 2021 was Rs. 16.76 billion. He outlined subsequent actions, including COPA’s direction for a CID investigation, the CID’s request for a forensic audit, the Auditor General’s position that further criminal investigation falls within the CID’s powers, and Inland Revenue’s ongoing recovery of income tax on importers’ profits. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →
- 3 February 2026 Ministerial Consultative Committee on Housing, Construction and Water Supply AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Housing, Construction and Water Supply met under the chairmanship of Hon. (Dr.) Sushil Ranasinghe, with the participation of Members from government and opposition parties. The proceedings related to matters within the housing, construction and water supply portfolio, providing a forum for Members to raise sectoral issues and for the Committee to consider administrative and policy matters under the Ministry. Opening and Parliamentary Announcements Read →
- 3 February 2026 Committee on Public Finance AI summary The Committee on Public Finance membership for 3 February 2026 is recorded, chaired by Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva and comprising Members from multiple parties. No substantive debate, proposal, question, or policy position is included in the provided text beyond listing the committee members. Opening and Parliamentary Announcements Read →
- 3 February 2026 President AI summary President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is identified in his ministerial capacities as Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and Minister of Digital Economy. No substantive speech content or policy statement is provided to summarize. Opening and Parliamentary Announcements Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha – Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary The Minister said stock market capitalization and activity had strengthened since September 2024, citing the ASPI’s rise from 11,096 to 23,956 and a doubling of daily turnover, and stressed the need to further support capital formation through the market. Addressing the 07 January 2026 incident involving Wealth Trust Securities Limited, he explained that unrestricted first-day IPO price discovery led to an abnormal opening price of Rs. 25,000 from an IPO price of Rs. 7, after which the CSE halted trading and annulled the day’s trades in consultation with the SEC. He stated that the SEC has begun an investigation into the identified orders and possible wrongdoing, with legal action to follow if warranted, and that temporary measures now disallow market orders on the first trading day after an IPO. He also outlined SEC plans for 2025–2035, including increased listings, investor education, outreach, and technology initiatives with the Ministry of Digital Economy. Adjournment Debate: Stock Exchange Activity and Ministerial Response Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Kanchana Welipitiya JJB AI summary Kanchana Welipitiya asked the Minister of Finance about the Colombo Stock Exchange’s growth since the Government took office, citing a rise in the ASPI from 11,096.81 on 23 September 2024 to 23,958.51 and an increase in market capitalization from Rs. 4.04 trillion to over Rs. 8 trillion. He sought clarification on a recent questionable trading incident, including whether it had been resolved, who was responsible, and what safeguards would prevent recurrence. He also requested details on measures to attract more investors, broaden market activity, increase IPOs, and set targets for 2026, while arguing that market data reflected investor confidence despite Opposition claims of instability. Adjournment Debate: Stock Exchange Activity and Ministerial Response Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB AI summary Mano Ganesan questioned the Minister of Justice and National Integration on measures to reduce severe prison overcrowding, citing the Minister’s statement that prisons are overcrowded by about 300 percent. He asked whether the 2024 amendment allowing remand time to count toward sentences would be applied to earlier prisoners, what action is being taken to address delays caused by pending forensic reports, whether general amnesties for minor offences will be restored, and whether non-serious offenders over 70 can be released on good conduct. Adjournment Debate: Stock Exchange Activity and Ministerial Response Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF AI summary Hon. Faiszer Musthapha questioned the lowering of qualifications for appointing Deans under the Universities (Amendment) Bill and urged a broader reform approach to higher education. He proposed mandatory service bonds or legal mechanisms requiring beneficiaries of free university education, especially doctors, engineers, specialists and technical graduates, to serve in Sri Lanka for a defined period and return after overseas training. He also called for engagement with destination countries on retaining Sri Lankan professionals, the establishment of reputable private universities to reduce foreign education costs, and increasing education expenditure toward 5 per cent of GDP. Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe JJB AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe clarified that his earlier response to Hon. Oshaanee Umanga on 6 January explained the distinction between the EPF and ETF and did not state that the EPF would be converted into a pension. He said his remarks had been misrepresented, and reaffirmed that while the Government aims to provide pensions for private and semi-government sector workers, this does not involve converting the EPF into a pension. Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake supported the Universities (Amendment) Bill as a necessary step toward broader education reform, citing the large gap between students qualified for university entry and those actually admitted. He argued that reforms should address outdated curricula, labour-market mismatch, weak vocational pathways, language and digital gaps, politicization, and graduate unemployment, while strengthening TVET, innovation, entrepreneurship, and human capital development. He welcomed the Government’s continuation of policies such as the IMF programme, open-economy measures, privatization initiatives, and tariff rationalization, but urged reforms to be institutional rather than dependent on individuals. On university governance, he called for democratic checks and balances, including limiting ministerial appointees to university councils to around 40–45 per cent to improve merit-based decision-making. Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary Minister Upali Pannilage supported amendments to the Universities Act, stating that the reforms would democratize university governance by broadening eligibility for Deans, introducing term limits, shifting appointment of Heads of Departments to University Councils, and widening representation in Senates. He said the changes were intended to reduce centralized decision-making and improve transparency, drawing on consultations with the university community. He also outlined government measures on university vacancies, student welfare, scholarships, hostels, disability support, research funding, loans for higher education, and digitalization. Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa addressed the GMOA’s 48-hour island-wide strike, acknowledging doctors’ contribution to health services while arguing that the Government has already granted substantial salary and allowance increases despite inheriting a bankrupt economy. He detailed phased public-sector salary increases from April 2025, January 2026, and January 2027, including higher overtime, holiday pay, extra-duty rates, and tax relief through the raised APIT threshold. He cited specific increases for preliminary grade, Grade II, and Grade I medical officers to support the Government’s position that doctors’ remuneration has improved significantly. Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said congestion at Peliyagoda and Katunayake was not directly caused by changes at Kerawalapitiya, though there had been initial adjustment issues after removing the ticket requirement. He said expressway widening was not a practical response to vehicle growth and that the Government was instead upgrading long-delayed electronic toll collection equipment, installing displays, and adding ETC counters. He stated that, once necessary systems such as displays, machines and cameras are fixed, public transport vehicles would be required to use ETC cards during peak hours while some manual counters remain available for users unfamiliar with the system. Procedural Matters and Points of Order Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply JJB AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer on the National Housing Development Authority’s technical staff, stating that the former unified Technical Officers’ Service was abolished from 1 January 2006 under Management Services Circular No. 30 and that current staff have been restructured accordingly. He said NHDA’s technical workforce stood at 412 as at 30 November 2025, that no per-kilometre travel allowance is paid, and that eligible field-based staff receive a combined allowance for up to five days per month under the latest instructions in Management Services Circular 01/2025. The answer also stated that promotion procedures are being updated according to Department of Management Services guidance, 2026 development allocations total Rs. 17,137.4 million including Rs. 12,128 million from the Treasury, and the number of technical officers is sufficient for those allocations. Procedural Matters and Points of Order Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Upali Samarasingha JJB AI summary Hon. Upali Samarasingha said co-operatives have suffered due to weak central–provincial coordination, political interference, prolonged board tenures, inadequate audits, and poor procedures. He stated that the Government is working with the Provincial Co-operative Public Service Commission to review failed co-operatives, conduct audits, and revive them within the year through state intervention. He added that special attention would be given to strengthening estate co-operatives and addressing past shortcomings. Oral Question No. 8 (Deferred) and Question Stand Down Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Stepni Fernando JJB AI summary Hon. Stepni Fernando requested that Ragama, described as a small but haphazardly developed national transport hub where rail and road networks intersect, be developed in a systematic manner. She asked that local authority lands be integrated into the development plan and sought a timeline for when implementation would begin. Oral Questions: Heda Oya Irrigation, Thondaman Foundation, Schools, Hydropower, Sugar Factories, Ragama Town, Monaragala Lands, Badulla Cooperatives Read →